Display device for reducing radiation exposure to medical personnel

ABSTRACT

A transparent radiation shield, attachable to a patient support platform, and movable to shield a physician from imaging radiation, includes a transparent computer display that is controllable to provide a data overlay on the shield pertaining to patient data and/or x-ray images.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/055,749 filed Aug. 6, 2018 entitled DisplayDevice for Reducing Radiation Exposure to Medical Personnel, whichclaims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/541,367 filed Aug. 4, 2017 entitled Display Device for ReducingRadiation Exposure to Medical Personnel, both of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radiation exposure for healthcare workers in radiology and cardiologyinterventional laboratories poses a significant health risk. In onestudy of cardiology healthcare workers stationed in cardiaccatheterization laboratories where x-rays are routinely used for medicalprocedures (such as angiography, heart biopsy, pacemaker placement,transcatheter stent or heart valve placement, radiofrequency ablation ofheart rhythm disorders and right heart catheterization), the risk ofcancer was found to be increased three-fold compared to similar workersin areas where radiation is not used. These findings are discussed inAndreassi M G, Piccaluga E, Guagliumi G, et al. Occupational healthrisks in cardiac catheterization laboratory workers. Circ CardiovascInterv. 2016; April; 9(4):e003273; and also in Andreassi M G, PiccalugaE, Guagliumi G, et al. Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and earlyvascular aging from long-term low-dose ionizing radiation exposure: agenetic, telomere, and vascular ultrasound study in cardiaccatheterization laboratory staff. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2015 Apr. 20;8(4):616-27.

Devices to shield worker from x-ray photons are widely used. These varyfrom x-ray blocking garments worn by workers to shields that hang fromthe ceiling or rails on the x-ray table or are rolled around the room ona trolley. An ideal shield would be easily positioned from within thesterile field to cover the area of the body being accessed by thephysician, allow the physician's hands to work on the body, permit thephysician to visually see the operating field, and move with the patientas the table is repositioned. Although many shields are constructed fromx-ray blocking material that transmits the visible light spectrum, theseshields are usually attached to the ceiling, roll on the floor, or areattached to the fixed portion of the x-ray table (attached to metalrails on the side of the table). As a result, the shield does not moveas the mobile part of the x-ray table is repositioned. In addition, ithas been virtually impossible to protect physicians doing proceduresnext to the patient's chest or at their head while still allowingvisualization and access to the operative field.

In addition to the above characteristics of an ideal radiation shield,an overlay of data (such as blood pressure, heart rate, arterial oxygensaturation, or electrocardiogram) or images (such as live ultrasoundimages or x-ray images) would allow the physician to be informed of thecondition of the patient without having to look away from the operatingfield.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to a repositionable radiationshield device that is transparent, allowing the surgeon to view theoperating field while the surgeon's head and upper chest are protectedfrom scatter radiation. This shield may be easily moved into position bythe physician or lab staff from within the sterile field to obtainoptimal patient visualization and radiation protection based on theanatomy of the patient being accessed and the position of the physician.Attached to the transparent shield is a display that, when activated,may turn from transparent to opaque or partially transparent shield,allowing the superimposition of data, such as images, physiologicparameters, instructions, image guidance for surgery, or other medicalinformation. Alternatively, the shield may have multiple components,with a clear shield component for viewing the patient and separatenon-transparent displays arrayed on the shield to provide patient data.Attached to the shield can also be other features that allow the surgeonto view the operating field better or with added information or images.These features include, but are not limited to the following:

Lighting is used to illuminate the area being viewed through the shield.The frequency spectrum of the emitted light may vary from infra-red toultraviolet to illuminate different structures preferentially.

A camera attached to the shield display similarly can allow the surgeonto view the field and, in one embodiment, overlay the imaged field onthe shield display. The imaging camera can image at varied frequencyspectrums, allowing the surgeon to see various aspects of the field,such as bleeding, temperature differences (such as the heat related tobleeding under the skin), arterial and venous blood flow, and surfacecontamination (such as using ultraviolet imaging). In addition, suchimaging display on the shield could be used in conjunction with othermethods described previously, such as fluorescein perfusion imaging.

The camera display image can also be co-registered to the operatingfield, such that the image overlays the visual view of the field seen bythe operator through the semi-transparent display. Such co-registrationcan be accomplished by using fiduciary points in the operating fieldimaged by the camera. The digital image is then manipulated consideringthe following factors:

The position and angle of the shield relative to the operating field.These factors can be calculated from the camera image of fiduciarypoints in the operating field, where the points have known positions inspace relative to each other. This can be accomplished in a number ofways, including placing a sterile set of three or morephysically-connected fiduciary points in the field, a similar markingset, where the points in the field independently or together detect theposition and transmit it to a computer, or by the operator identifyingby a marking device the position of three or more points with a devicethat transmits to or is detected by as receiving device that thencalculates the position of the markers in space. One additional methodto establish fiduciary points and to determine the relationship of theshield display to the imaged surface is to project from the shielddisplay light patterns (such as a grid, cross or crosses, or concentriccircles). The geometric distortion of the projected objects can then beused to determine the topography of the imaged field relative to thecamera on the shield.

In addition, a “heads-up” display without the need for a displayalternating between transparent and opaque can be employed. In thisembodiment, information is displayed onto the shield for use by theoperator. The display can be switched off and on and can be moved aboutthe screen using a touch panel control or through standard switches.

Control of the shield display in the operating room environment is bestaccomplished by switches or control mechanisms that cannot becontaminated or that can be easily cleaned. Control can be accomplishedby physical switches on the shield, preferably using switches that canbe operated though a sterile barrier (such as a clear bag) surroundingthe shield display and are easy to wipe clean, such as membrane touchswitches. Alternatively, control devices that do not require physicaltouch can be employed. These include detectors that identify theposition of hands (such as ultrasonic, light, capacitive, or magneticdetectors), or any of a variety of touch switches, or a touchscreenmembrane that covers the display shield.

The table that patients are lying on during the operation is usuallymoved in order to x-ray image various parts of the body. To keep theshield in position for the surgeon to view the same part of the body,the shield should move with the patient. In one embodiment, the shielddisplay can be attached to a specialized sled on which the patient lays,an operating table, an x-ray table, or other platform where the shieldwill move with the patient as the table is moved in and out of thex-ray. The sled contains wiring and electrical power to connect to thedisplay on one end and to the image or data source on the other end. Thesource can be either a communication cable (such as wired or fiber opticcables) or power supply cable, or a combined cable that is connected tothe data source directly, or indirectly (such as through aradiofrequency or infrared connection to the data source).

An additional feature is a touchscreen control device overlaid on thedisplay screen or the radiation shield directly. The touchscreen can beof any type (such as resistive, capacitive, or ultrasonic) such that thetouchscreen passes visible light through all or a portion of thesurface. The touchscreen is connected as an input device to otherdevices. Such devices include computer monitors, telecommunicationsdevices, and imaging systems.

An additional modification of the shielding device is to curve thematerial such that the shield magnifies the operative field. As anexample, this would be useful for surgeries involving small devices orsmall blood vessels. Magnification can be accomplished optically in anumber of ways, including through a curved optical medium attached tothe display shield, by curving the radiation shield material, or bycurving the transparent display material. Magnification can also beaccomplished by magnification of the image obtained from the camera anddisplay of that image on the shield display. One advantage of thatmethod is that the amount of magnification can be varied more easilythan changing the optical magnification and the field of magnificationcan be changed without moving the shield.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,106,172 to Wilson et al., and incorporated by referenceherein, describes a procedure sled in which the patient lies on afoam-filled carbon fiber shell. The sled described by Wilson et al. has,in one embodiment, rails attached to the outer border of the shell,allowing attachment of devices. In one or more embodiments of the devicedescribed herein, the device is mountable to the sled described byWilson et al. and some of the electronic components are containedwithin, or attached to the sled.

It is recognized that the addition of a display system described hereinwould facilitate medical procedures in other environments where x-rayimaging is not used, such as operating rooms or emergency rooms, andwould not require x-ray shielding. The ability, however, to operate adisplay, control or imaging system in a sterile field environment wherethe display, control, or imaging system moved with the patientfacilitates the ability of medical personnel in several ways.

First, the medical personnel would have the ability to read the displayand use the control screen while performing surgery on a patient restingon a moving table. Second, the imaging or camera system can maintain aconstant view of the imaged field, where the registration of fiduciarypoints does not change with patient movement. This maintenance ofregistration permits more accurate image analysis and allows moreaccurate assessment of the change in the image over time, such asdetecting bleeding through changes in skin topography, for example.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawingsand descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitatecomprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit thescope thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments ofthe invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from thefollowing description of embodiments of the present invention, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a device of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of an embodiment of a device of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken alongsection lines 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a system of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of an embodiment of a system of theinvention; and,

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the display of FIG. 10 taken alongsection lines 11-11.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Theterminology used in the detailed description of the embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limitingof the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Referring now to the figures, and first to FIG. 1, there is shown anembodiment of a shield 10 of the invention. It can be seen that theshield 10 includes a transparent portion 20, through which the patientcan be seen, and a control portion 30 that includes a plurality ofcontrol switches 40. The control switches 40 control whatever featuresmay be included on the shield. By way of non-limiting example, theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 may includes a display control 42, a display“on” switch 44, an fiduciary point control 46, a field lighting control48, a camera switch 50, and display source selectors 52, 54, 56 and 58.The switches and controls may be physical buttons and knobs or othermechanical devices, or the shield may include touchscreen controls, asis known in the art. The shield may also be voice-activated. One skilledin the art will understand that the controls and functions provided withthe shield 10 may be customizable to the needs of the user. The shield10 may be attached to an arm 60 that is connectable to a hospital bed,equipment stand, fluoroscope, or the like. FIG. 2 is a back view of theshield 10, and illustrates the transparent properties of the shield 10.

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view of the embodiment of the shield 10 takenalong section lines 3-3 of FIG. 1. The section view of FIG. 3 shows thelayered construction of the shield 10, and includes a transparenttouchscreen layer 70, a transparent computer display 72, and atransparent radiation shield 74. The transparent computer display layer72 may be any clear display technology, such as LED or LCD.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of a system 100 of the invention.System 100 includes the shield 10 and a patient platform 110, which inthis case includes a mattress 120, a sled 130 and an x-ray table 140.The shield 10 is attached to the arm 60, which may be articulated asshown. The arm 60 is attached to an attachment rail 150 of the sled 130.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a system 100 of the invention inwhich the transparent display 72 of the shield 10 is powered on and isdisplaying an overlay 80 that includes physiologic data. In at least oneembodiment, the opacity of the overlay is adjustable such that the usercan adjust how easy it is to see the patient through the display.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of a system 100 of the invention inwhich the transparent display 72 of the shield 10 is powered on and isdisplaying an overlay 80, including physiologic data, juxtaposed to asecond window 82 showing imaging of the patient.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a system 100 of the invention in whichthe shield 10 includes magnification feature 84. The magnificationfeature could be provided electronically, via a projected image usingthe camera and a zoom feature. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11. Themagnification feature 84 includes a curved magnifying lens layer 76placed onto the display 10. The transparent magnifying lens layer 76 maybe permanently installed onto the display 10, or may be an adhesivelayer applied to the display 10. It is also envisioned that themagnifying lens layer 76 be a flat Fresnel lens sheet applied to thedisplay 10.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radiation shield comprising a plurality oflayers, said plurality of layers including: a transparent display; and,a transparent radiation shield; wherein the transparent displaycomprises transparent computer display technology such thatpatient-related data is producible on the transparent display.
 2. Theradiation shield of claim 1 wherein the plurality of layers furtherincludes a transparent touchscreen input layer that provides touchcontrol of the patient-related data producible on the transparentdisplay.
 3. The radiation shield of claim 1 wherein the plurality oflayers further includes a transparent magnification layer.
 4. Theradiation shield of claim 1 wherein the transparent display includes anadjustment control for changing an opacity of the patient-related data.5. The radiation shield of claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofcontrols usable to control features of the transparent display.
 6. Theradiation shield of claim 1 wherein said patient-related data includesreal-time imaging fed to said display from an imaging machine.
 7. Asystem for use in tending to a medical patient comprising: a patientplatform including: a mattress; a table; a radiation shield comprising aplurality of layers, said plurality of layers including: a transparentdisplay; and, a transparent radiation shield; wherein the transparentdisplay comprises transparent computer display technology such thatpatient-related data is producible on the transparent display; and, anarm connecting the shield to the patient platform.
 8. The system ofclaim 7 wherein the plurality of layers further includes a transparenttouchscreen input layer that provides touch control of thepatient-related data producible on the transparent display.
 9. Thesystem of claim 7 wherein the plurality of layers further includes atransparent magnification layer.
 10. The system of claim 7 wherein thetransparent display includes an adjustment control for changing anopacity of the patient-related data.
 11. The system of claim 7 furthercomprising a plurality of controls usable to control features of thetransparent display.
 12. The system of claim 7 wherein saidpatient-related data includes real-time imaging fed to said display froman imaging machine.
 13. The system of claim 7 further comprising a sledbetween said mattress and said table; said sled including an attachmentpoint for attaching said arm to said patient platform.
 14. The system ofclaim 7 wherein said table comprises an x-ray table.
 15. The system ofclaim 7 wherein said arm is articulated such that said radiation shieldmay be positioned at a variety of orientations.
 16. A method ofprotecting a physician while attending to a patient and using x-rayimaging: providing a transparent shield on an articulated arm such thatsaid shield is positionable between the physician and the patient;displaying data on said shield pertaining to the patient.
 17. The methodof claim 16 wherein displaying data on said shield comprises displayingimages from an x-ray.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein displaying dataon said shield comprises providing controls such that a physician canselect the data being displayed.
 19. The method of claim 18 whereinproviding controls comprises providing touchscreen controls on saidshield.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the articulated arm isconnected to a patient platform.